The care we provide our patients is not limited to a hospital stay. Our IU Health team aims to provide patients with the assistance to pay bills online, fill a prescription, request medical records, enroll in clinical trials, prepare for a visit, and much more.

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IU Health is committed to providing support to the patients we serve, but also the physician community we work within. We aim to simplify how to refer a patient, request a transfer, review lab results, participate in education and training and find potential positions.

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Decline in Function

As we age, our cells and organs begin to lose their ability to function as well as they used to. You may find you cannot digest foods as well, handle strenuous activity or get over a cold as quickly as could when you were younger. These are normal parts of the aging process that our bodies are prepared to handle. For the most part, our organs continue to function adequately to allow us to go about day-to-day tasks without issue.

However, when chronic conditions (such as high blood pressure) also affect our organs, we start seeing more serious decline in function. This causes your heart and kidneys to have to work harder while they are already weaker than they were in your twenties and thirties.

When one organ or part of the body becomes weaker, it often affects other parts of the body. For instance, as your intestines age, you are less able to absorb nutrients such as calcium. This leads to a lower bone density, raising your risk of arthritis, osteoporosis and bone fractures.

To age healthily, you should look at improving your overall health through proper diet, exercise and avoiding bad habits like smoking. Indiana University Health physicians provide expert care for people over 65 to improve quality of life and slow decline in function. We help you stay on top of your health and improve conditions such as memory loss and depression that affect your ability to live a healthy, active life.

Our geriatric specialists are specifically trained in improving the quality of life for patients 65 and older. Our physicians coordinate your care with expert specialists and primary care physicians to ensure that the tests, medicines and other treatments you receive work best for you. We provide comprehensive, personalized care that focuses on maximizing your functions and increasing your abilities to perform daily tasks.

We are dedicated to getting to know you and all aspects of your life. Your first visit with our physicians will often take three hours to ensure that we build a strong relationship with you and your family. We strive to help you live a healthy, happy life and maintain open communication so that your concerns are addressed and your questions are answered.

At IU Health, we are committed to meeting the growing needs of our senior population. Through our partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine, we research senior health to find new treatments and solutions to diseases of aging. Our physicians are also training the next generation of geriatricians to ensure we continue to provide high-quality care to seniors in the future.

How We Can Help

Decline in Function Treatment Information

Laboratory testing. The first step toward improving your decline in function is determining if there is an underlying cause. Our physicians perform blood tests to check for issues such as nutrient deficiencies or signs of chronic conditions. Vitamins and other nutrients can affect bone density, balance, cognitive function, memory and a variety of other aspects of your health. As you grow older, your body may not absorb nutrients as well as it used to, causing deficiencies and decline in function. A healthy diet and vitamin supplements can correct these issues, improving your overall health. Lab testing can also detect the causes behind a host of other health issues, from declined thyroid and kidney function, to blood sugar issues, to high cholesterol. Correcting these issues can greatly improve your health by restoring energy and reducing pain.

Mental exam. A mental exam consists of questions that help us determine if your cognitive function has declined or if you have memory loss or depression. These neurological conditions can affect your entire body, causing weakness, fatigue and loss of sleep, even affecting your balance. Improving your mental health with medicines, counseling or group therapy can slow or reverse loss of function in some cases.

Social history. A social history allows us to know more about you and your family. Aspects of your life, like your spouse’s health, if you live alone and if you are retired can all affect your health. Social histories also let us know a little bit about your habits, such as what you typically eat, how you sleep and if you exercise. By understanding your day-to-day lifestyle, we may be able to spot areas of improvement that could increase overall function.

Depression scale. Depression has many effects on physical health. A depression scale is a series of questions used to determine if you have depression. Depression is a serious problem among older adults and keeps you from living a healthy lifestyle. Treatment with antidepressants and counseling can help you feel better mentally and physically.

Medicine assessment. We ask you to bring in all of your medicines so we can identify any issues or interactions they are causing. You are more likely to experience side effects from medicines as you age, which may keep your body from working properly. Common issues include dizziness, loss of balance, memory loss and muscle weakness. We monitor your health and medicines to ensure you experience as few side effects as possible. We adjust your medicines as necessary to improve your health.

Education. Our geriatrics team offers you the education you need to live a healthier lifestyle. We may refer you to community resources such as support groups, exercise classes or senior community centers. We can also provide education on aging, being a caregiver or advanced planning. We are an expert resource available to you 24 hours a day by phone.

Referral to specialists. If your decline in function is related to other health conditions, such as heart disease, we will refer you to other IU Health expert specialists who can assist you. IU Health is home to the top physicians in Indiana, including cardiologists, neurologists, palliative care physicians and doctors in over 40 other specialties. We provide coordinated care among our physicians for convenient, personalized care.

This program, through Indiana University School of Medicine, provides coordinated care for older patients admitted to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital. Our physicians work with this program to improve patient outcomes such as hospital readmissions and admissions to skilled nursing facilities.